Name our News!
Do you have an idea to name the Academy’s newsletter? If so, please submit your suggestion at one of the weekly presentations. The Board will choose a name from those submitted following the conclusion of the fall session. The creator of the winning name will receive a fabulous prize!
Upcoming Program Note
In preparation for the March 29 presentation “Humor in Classical Music,” you might consider attending the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra concert on Sunday, February 27 at 3pm at the Bemidji High School Auditorium. Cost is $3 for Seniors.
If you go, pay close attention to the fourth (and final) movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.
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Outlook for Social Security by Fred Nyland
Recent articles and statements by the President appear to warn the public of extreme problems for the Social Security Program. All these predictions may be exaggerated and seem to ignore testimony by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO, February, 2005).
The CBO has examined a number of options for fixing the problem. One of the solutions they have analyzed would be a ten percent cut in benefits, starting in the near future. Under this suggestion Social Security would provide benefits for many years with modest reductions in benefits. There may be other ways of correcting the problem. One solution has been offered by Al Franken: Increase the cap on income that is taxed for Social Security. Such a move would tax salaries above $100,000 per year. The rationale is that many people earn much more money than was envisioned when Social Security came into effect. Thus, one might conclude that there is not such a severe crisis as critics are prone to assert. From personal experience, I have “suffered” through a substantial cut in Social Security benefits. I retired early and elected to receive only 80 percent of the benefits starting at age 62. Accordingly I will receive more money until the age of 77 than if I had waited to age 65 to receive full benefits. My perspective was that at age 77, I would either be dead, or I would have gotten used to the reduced payments.
Special Program Scheduled September 27
“Religion and its Influence on the Cultural Landscape of America”
The Academy of Lifelong Learning is collaborating with Northern Exposure to Lifelong Learning and Head- waters Lifelong Learning, area Learning in Retirement Network organizations to present a day-long workshop.
Funding for the project is made possible through the Minnesota Humanities Commission’s “We the People” program, which provides support for projects that explore American history and culture.
The workshop entitled “Religion and its Influence on the Cultural Landscape of America” will be held at St Philips Catholic Church in Bemidji on September 27, 2005.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Paul Capetz, Associate Professor of Historical Theology at United Theological Seminary, New Brighton. Participants will have the opportunity to share comments and ideas about the topic of religion in America in small group discussions.
Informational pre-sessions to introduce the topic will be held in Park Rapids and Bagley. September 13 will feature Mary Hrenchir, Professor of History, Bemidji State University discussing “The Impact of Religion on Culture” at the Park Rapids Library from 1:00 to 2:30pm.
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September 20, 2005 “The Lewis and Clark Expedition – The Legends and the myths”
*Sponsored by Paul Bunyan Telephone*
Michael Hanson, Founder and past president of MN Chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation
A retired history teacher, Hanson has presented to all ages from 4 th graders to graduate students and senior citizens. Join us to hear legends and myths about the Lewis and Clark expedition from Hanson’s personal experience as a traveler and guide as well as his vast education.
September 27, 2005 "Religion and its Influence on the Cultural Landscape of America"
Dr. Paul Capetz, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, United Theological Seminary, Twin Cities Campus
* This session will be held at St. Philips Catholic Church, 720 Beltrami Avenue NW
* Session begins at 9am with registration, and ends at 3:30pm. Register is $10 by September 21, $15 at the door.
* Contact Patt Rall at 755 8942 or email prall@charter.net to register.
October 4, 2005 “Post Conference Discussion: Religion and the Human Condition”
Dr. David Lund, Professor of Philosophy, Bemidji State University
Religion may be viewed as a natural response to our human condition. Topics treated will include the puzzle of existence, the problem of evil and suffering, the deep nature of persons, mortality and death, and the meaning of life.
October 11, 2005 "Death and Dying Series – End of Life Issues as Seen by Physicians and Hospice"
Dr. Brian Livermore, family practice physician, 21 yrs BJI, Northern Medical Clinic;
Patt Rall, North Country Hospice Volunteer
Livermore will discuss when to shift from ‘curing’ to ‘caring’, communication barriers between physicians and patients (and their loved ones), wellness and ‘healthy dying’ and common fears of abandonment, pain and loss of dignity.
October 18, 2005 “Death and Dying Series- Cultural Aspects"
Kevin Cease, Funeral Director
Cease will focus on the cultural aspects of death and dying touching upon the many facets and characteristics. This presentation will be very interactive encouraging participants to ask any questions regarding death and dying.
October 25, 2005 “Environmental and Cultural Aspects of Life in Nepal”
*Sponsored by Rice Photography*
Cate Belleveau, Enrichment Coordinator, Cass Lake-Bena Schools and Gifted/Talented Educator
Ms. Belleveau spent 5 weeks on a trek through Nepal including a 17 loop trek to the traditional basecamp of Mt. Everest. Her presentation will address the progress in preserving the area, the Sherpa Buddhist, and Hindu cultures, socio-economic challenges in this 6th poorest nation in the world as well as a bit of focus on a small school( Shree Bhagawati) in rural Nepal that has been adopted as a sister school.
November 1, 2005 “Experiences of Self-Publishing a Book”
Tom Chapin, author “Poacher’s Caught!”
Chapin spent most of his 29 year career as a game warden in the Grand Rapids, MN district. “Poacher’s Caught!” is a collection of exhilarating career experiences from the woods and waters of MN. The author’s efforts to publish his book, as well as his experiences working with the MN State Legislature to enact a gross over-limit law, known as the “Chapin Bill” will be the subject of this presentation.
November 8, 2005 “A Woman’s Perspective of American Indian Culture”
Margaret “Peggy” Treuer, Tribal Court Judge, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Ms. Treuer will share her experiences within the indigenous culture as seen from her position as Chief Judge for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.
November 15, 2005 “Death and Dying Series – Spirituality: Living Fully Until you Die”
Rev. Linnea Papke-Larson, Chaplain, Neilson Place; Rev. Mark Papke-Larson, Chaplain, North Country Regional Hospital and Hospice; Elaine Hazard, Lay Chaplain, Neilson Place
We all will die, but things change when "we" becomes "I."Learning you are terminally ill changes everything. "Healing" takes on new meaning and hope can deepen as we face our own dying.We will explore the crisis created, the possibility for hope, and the underlying spiritual and religious issues through stories, research, and theological reflection.
* This session will be held at Neilson Place, 1000 Anne Street NW
The Academy’s humanities-based programs are made possible in part with funding from the Minnesota Humanities Commission in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support comes from Bemidji State University, Bemidji State University Foundation, local sponsors, and the generous gifts of our patrons.
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Helen Thelander has lived in Bemidji most of her life. She attended Bemidji State Teachers College in 1935, now Bemidji State University. Helen applied her education by working for Independent School District #31, Bemidji, for 23 years.
Helen enjoys hunting for morel mushrooms each spring. She continues to help educate youth by tutoring reading skills at Lincoln Elementary during the school year.
Helen has been a regular participant in the Academy of Lifelong Learning presentations for a number of years. She has now taken on the larger role of being a Board member to help guide the learning in retirement network to providing intellectually stimulating presentations to the public. Her insight is a welcome addition to the Academy of Lifelong Learning Board of Directors.
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Frederic S. Nyland retired as a consultant and policy analyst concerned with reduction of nuclear weapons, arms races, ballistic missile proliferation, and ballistic missile defense issues for the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and later, the U.S. Department of State. Mr. Nyland served as a professional ski patrolman at Aspen and Sun Valley in the 1940's. During the Korean War, he was in U.S. Army (Artillery). The bulk of his career was with Rand as a Senior Mathematician and later as the Director of National Security Research (Washington Office).
Mr. Nyland and his wife, Colleen, reside in Bemidji, Minnesota and spend winters in Idaho Springs, Colorado. Mrs. Nyland is a Registered Nurse and a graduate of Bemidji State University, Minnesota. Mr. Nyland is a graduate of the University of Colorado. His graduate studies were in mathematics at the University of Denver. He is a member of the Military Operations Research Society, the Arms Control Association, the Center for Defense Information, the Denver World Affairs Council, the Foothills International Forum, the Academy for Lifelong Learning, and the U.S. Masters Ski Team.
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September 21 at Faith Lutheran Church in Bagley, Elizabeth Dunn, Associate Professor of History at Bemidji State University will present a pre-conference lecture focusing on the impact colonial American and the Salem Trials had on our culture. The time of Dunn’s presentation is 9:30-11am. 
The Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) adopted formal by-laws this past Spring. The by-laws provide a more formal formalized approach to leadership, decision-making, and board service. The Board is lead by Chairman Cal Rice, Vice-chairman Joe Butler and Secretary Patt Rall. Other Board members include Evan Hazard, Lynda Stenseng, Ernie Rall, Shirlee Maetens, and the newest members Fred Nyland and Helen Thelander. Board candidates will be solicited at least once a year from attendees at Academy presentations and elected at the annual meeting. Interested in serving? Contact CRI at 755-4900 or cri@bemidjistate.edu